"Whatever pleases her best, of course," said Kate. "Any
arrangement that you feel will make her happy, will be all right
with me; in the event we agree on other things."
He laughed, shortly.
"This sounds cold-blooded and business-like," he said. "But
Mother's been all the world to me, until I met you. I must be
sure about her, and one other thing. I'll write you about that
this week. If that is all right with you, you can get ready for a
deluge. I've held in as long as I can. Kate, will you kiss me
good-bye?"
"That's against the rules," said Kate. "That's getting the cart
before the horse."
"I know it," he said. "But haven't I been an example for six
weeks? Only one. Please?"
They were back at Dr. Gray's gate, standing in the deep shelter of
a big maple. Kate said: "I'll make a bargain with you. I'll
kiss you to-night, and if we come to an agreement next Sunday
night, you shall kiss me. Is that all right?"
The reply was so indistinct Kate was not sure of it; but she took
his face between her hands and gave him exactly the same kind of
kiss she would have given Adam, 3d. She hesitated an instant,
then gave him a second. "You may take that to your mother," she
said, and fled up the walk.